West Bengal’s biggest annual festival recently saw the addition of a strikingly contemporary pavilion that is 100 percent recyclable in Kolkata , India. Designed by Abin Chaudhuri of the firm Abin Design Studio , the metal mesh pavilion was one of many temporary pavilions — or pandals — constructed to honor the goddess Durga as part of a five-day Hindu festival called Durga Puja. Unlike the other pandals, which are typically built of natural materials and reference traditional motifs and artworks, Abin Design Studio’s creation is architecturally modern with a dynamic form made from steel wire cubes. Installed inside an alley surrounded by buildings, Abin Design Studio’s Festival Pavilion stands out from its predecessors for the way it embraces the site. Rather than covering up the buildings, Abin Chaudhuri regarded the structures as a backdrop for his stacked cubes of steel wire mesh. The pavilion , which appears as a heap of cubes threatening to topple at any moment, is not only used to frame the deity, but it has also been manipulated to create an entrance arch and immersive sculptural artwork. “The installation is based on the idea of ‘Childhood,’” Abin Design Studio explained. “At the entrance of the installation, an abstract flight of birds overhead depicts the freedom of thought and creativity in young children. The wings gradually diminish and the birds tessellate into an array of boxes. Along with the deconstructed arrangement, the boxes put forward a commentary on the scenario of a child’s immense inherent potential getting slowly confined into a metaphorical box. The form of the installation then compels the viewer into a ‘void’, a place to sit and contemplate, in the axial presence of ‘Maa Durga.’” Related: A glowing river of books creates a traffic-free haven in Ann Arbor All parts of the temporary 350-square-meter pavilion are recyclable , from the steel mesh cubes and bamboo framing system to the plywood support system for the platform and stage as well as the old newspaper folded into origami birds. Moreover, the pavilion was also created as a module that could be replicated to activate forgotten urban spaces throughout the city, even in non-festival times. + Abin Design Studio Photography by Suryan/Dang, Abin Chaudhari, Sohomdeep Sinha Roy and Nancy Mandhan via Abin Design Studio

Wood, metal ties and rope come together in this temporary space in Lebanon, forming a lightweight structure designed to raise awareness of the area’s rich marine biodiversity. The Tyre Nature Reserve Hub, named MARAH, was designed by Architecture students from the American University of Beirut , who used the project as an experiment in building lightweight and temporary systems, as well as creating spaces that have a large social and programmatic impact. Some of Lebanon ’s longest sandy beaches are located in the Tyre region–also a popular nesting site for the endangered Loggerhead and Green Sea Turtles, as well as the home of several species of local wildlife, such as the Arabian spiny mouse and the Red fox. Phoenician springs and freshwater estuaries dominate the Ras el Ain area which facilities a diversity of marine life and a large part of this region has been turned into a protected area. Despite this, the Tyre region has seen severe destruction and devastation, which acted as impetus for creating a temporary pavilion that would help spread awareness of the importance of conserving marine biodiversity . Related: Floating timber pavilion transforms a Swiss lake into an exciting new public square Architecture AUB students from the DI-LAB (Design Impact Laboratory) teamed up with environmental consultants and the Tyre Coast Nature Reserve to introduce a structure that acts as a hub for the Tyre Coast Nature Reserve. The center is located directly on the beach, where it acts as a meeting point, an information point, a presentation pavilion, an exhibition space, and a training center, among other things. The pavilion was built using wood, metal ties and ropes and addresses the idea of creating a space that simultaneously generates a large social impact and minimal site impact. + Di-Lab – American University of Beirut Via Archdaily Photos by Lorenzo Tugnoli

Renewable and fast-growing bamboo is catching on in the world of construction. To spur on the green material’s popularity, architect Eleena Jamil designed and built Urban Brains, a temporary pavilion that shows off the versatility of bamboo from structural support to decorative cladding. Built for the World Urban Forum 2018 in collaboration with UNHabitat, the pop-up pavilion in Kuala Lumpur also encourages visitors to add their thoughts to the design by literally writing on the walls. Located on an open square next to Klang River, Urban Brains provided tranquil respite during the weeklong World Urban Forum 2018 that concluded February 13, 2018. The simple 16-square-meter pavilion is a four-wall structure covered in by 100-millimeter-long bamboo cross-sections. Some of the circular rings were filled in with colorful semi-translucent panels to evoke the effect of stained glass windows while other bamboo rings were left hollow. The colored panels are also a nod to the colors of the UN sustainable design goals. Related: This breezy bamboo amphitheater pops up in just 25 days Custom-designed stools made from short bamboo poles tied together with rattan were placed inside the pavilion in a square courtyard -like space. The roof, built with concentric square bamboo shapes, is fitted with transparent plastic and a large opening in the center to let in natural light. Visitors are encouraged to add their thoughts and ideas for improving the city by writing them down on the circular colored panels punctuating the pavilion walls. + Eleena Jamil Images via Eleena Jamil

Comments Off on Spectacular origami pavilion made of recycled plastic pops up in Columbus, Indiana

This gorgeous origami-inspired building in Columbus, Indiana is made entirely from recycled plastic – and it lights up at night with a beautiful LED display. Students at the IU School of Art, Architecture + Design in Bloomington , led by Professor Jiangmei Wu , designed the Synergia pavilion as an experiment in building complex structures inspired by biological forms, soap bubbles, and crystal patterns. The temporary pavilion sits on the site of Eero Saarinen’s North Christian Church in Columbus, and it references the famous architect’s mid-century modernist architecture. Its design stems from a single element– a bisymmetric polyhedron tessellated into interlocking layers. Over 500 polyhedrons, measuring about two to three feet each, work together to form the elongated hexagonal shape. Related: The Folkets House is an inclusive space where refugees can learn skills and find jobs Translucent corrugated plastic sheets made from recycled plastic were laser cut at Noblitt Fabricating in Columbus Indiana and then hand folded like origami to form each of the structural units. The plastic corrugated boards are extremely lightweight and can be easily bent along the flutes. When connected together, the folded hinges produce an interlocking self-supporting lattice that is light and yet structurally efficient. This eliminates the need for additional framing and assemblage and reduces waste. + IU School of Art, Architectuare + Design Photos by Tony Vasquez

The Donald Trump administration has made a lot of noise about bringing back coal . But with renewable energy soaring , and coal plants retiring, their efforts may go in vain – and a new $64 million donation from Bloomberg Philanthropies could facilitate progress towards cleaner sources of power. Michael Bloomberg , former New York City mayor and philanthropist, said, “The Trump administration has yet to realize that the war on coal was never led by Washington – and Washington cannot end it.” The Trump administration has decried the so-called war on coal. Maybe they didn’t realize pollution from coal-fired power plants used to kill around 13,000 people every year. 7,500 Americans still die from the pollution yearly, but the number is down since the Sierra Club ramped up their Beyond Coal campaign in 2011. Bloomberg’s $64 million will go to that campaign. Related: Renewables keep booming despite Trump administration’s attempts to axe Obama’s Clean Power Plan Bloomberg said the war on coal “was started and continues to be led by communities in both red and blue states who are tired to having their air and water poisoned when there are cleaner and cheaper alternatives available.” Since 2011, 259 coal-fired stations, almost 50 percent of America’s coal plants, have shut down. Beyond Coal aims to replace coal with solar , wind , or geothermal energy. Reuters said coal exports have increased this year, pointing to information from the Energy Information Administration, which said United States coal exports from January to July went up 62 percent, compared against the same time period in 2016. But coal-fired plants keep shuttering. Since Trump entered office, according to Reuters, 10 plants have announced closures, and just last week an energy company said they’ll be shutting down a Texas plant next year. Bloomberg has given over $100 million in total to the Beyond Coal campaign; their original grants helped the effort grow from 15 states to 45. + Beyond Coal Via Bloomberg Philanthropies and Reuters Images via Pixabay and Bloomberg.org on Twitter

Comments Off on Plastic waste pop-up pavilion rethinks recycling in the Netherlands

Plastic waste takes on new life in the PET Pavilion, a temporary structure that popped up in a public park in Enschede, The Netherlands. Project.DWG and LOOS.FM designed the 227-square-meter ephemeral pavilion to spark dialogue on topics relating to recycling and sustainable building. The experimental pavilion serves as an educational gathering space and can be easily dismantled for relocation within a day. The pavilion bears draws inspiration from Ludwig Mies van der Rohe’s Farnsworth House with its steel framework and floor-to-ceiling transparent walls. Over 40,000 plastic bottles are sandwiched between the pavilion’s double-walled transparent corrugated sheets, creating a curtain of crumpled bottles that turn the pavilion into an “abstract lantern” at night. The elevated pavilion also includes a staircase and ramp covered with 25,000 bottle caps and a divider wall filled with 8,000 body wash containers. “It is really confronting when you encounter the huge piles of waste up close,” write the designers. “That’s something we wanted to work with. ‘Something’ became a pavilion with monumental walls of pet bottles. Dismountable and temporary, with the plot in loan. With a temporary structure you bypass complicated regulation. Society is changing. To build for eternity, is an empty claim. Temporality means freedom.” Related: Dissolvable bioplastic bags from Bali are safe enough to drink The PET pavilion is currently located in a temporary park on the grounds of the former Robson pajamas in Enschede. The building is used to host events, from talks to galleries, and also includes a bar and winter garden. The pavilion will be moved to an as yet undetermined site at the end of 2017. + Project.DWG + LOOS.FM Images via Project.DWG , art by Martin Oostenrijk, Jelle de Graaf, and André Boone

Comments Off on Inflatable Second Dome transforms from small bubble to huge event venue in minutes

Photo by Iwan Baan The Second Dome was commissioned by creative workspace provider Second Home as a space where families of East London can gather and attend film screenings, design workshops and other community activities. The Second Dome can be quickly installed to accommodate different activities and span large areas. With a thickness of less than a millimeter, the pneumatic structure responds to wind and pressure and requires little energy for fabrication or assembly. Related: Tent Made From Inflated Airbags is a Prefab Pneumatic Gallery Founders Forum 2016, a community organization for global entrepreneurs , also commissioned the Second Dome for a series of events centered around innovation and design, with speakers David Adjaye and iPod co-creator and Nest founder Tony Fadell. + DOSIS Via Archdaily

When we first reported on the 2016 MPavilion , organizers hoped the structure would be Australia’s largest bamboo structure, but whether or not that goal has been achieved is yet to be confirmed. Architect Bijoy Jain originally planned to build the roof and awning with karvi panels, made from a mix of cow dung and earth, however the material proved unsuitable for Melbourne’s climate. Despite the setback, the MPavilion 2016 is an impressive example of handmade architecture constructed from handcrafted Indian techniques and materials. Seven kilometers of bamboo, 50 tons of stone, and 26 kilometers of rope sourced from India and Australia were used to make the 16.8-square-meter summer pavilion. Instead of Karvi panels, the roof is built using sticks from the Karvi plant woven together by craftspeople in India over four months. Related: Handmade MPavilion will be the largest bamboo structure ever built in Australia “MPavilion is a space for the people of Melbourne to gather, talk, think and to reflect,” said Jain. “My objective has not just been to create a new building, but to capture the spirit of the place by choosing the right materials, respecting the surrounding nature and working collaboratively with local craftspeople to share design and construction ideas.” An opening at the center of MPavilion’s roof brings additional light to the space, while a golden well below collects rainwater . An elaborate ‘tazia’ entrance tower, seen in Indian ceremonies, sits adjacent. The pavilion will host a light and music show activated at dusk every night. The annual MPavilion is in its third iteration and was initiated and commissioned by the Naomi Milgrom Foundation with support from the City of Melbourne and the Victorian State Government. After this year’s MPavilion season is over, the structure will be moved to a new permanent location in Melbourne. + Studio Mumbai + MPavilion Images by John Gollings

Overlooking a newly built channel in The Netherlands, the pavilion stands out from the tranquil, pastoral surroundings as a rib cage-like structure with sharp angles. It combines corrugated steel , plywood and plastic that make up its shell, roof and siding, referencing traditional wooden-truss frames and gabled roofs of the old local residences. Related: Floating timber pavilion transforms a Swiss lake into an exciting new public square “By charging this construction with several elements from classic farmhouse typology in combination with simple low budget materials I created an experimental hybrid construction,” said Havermans. “This pavilion references the architectural heritage and also has a futuristic appearance in the landscape,” he added. Related: Dutch studios RAAAF and Studio Frank Havermans build ominous futuristic mobile shelter in the name of peace The platform is made from rough-sawn douglas wood boards, while the corrugated metal frames and plastic wrap around the base and shelter a seating structure. Another bench is formed along the exterior of the pavilion. The architect coated the plywood trusses with black rubber to protect it from the elements. + Frank Havermans + Stichting Fabrikaat Via Dezeen Photos by René de Wit